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United States Rejects Russia's Military Intervention and Land Grab in Crimea

Ambassador Power Speaks About Russian Actions in Ukraine at UN Security Council Meeting

"Russia has decided, it seems, to rewrite its borders, but it cannot rewrite the facts," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said during today's UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

"The United States rejects Russia’s military intervention and land grab in Crimea. These actions, again, violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Russia’s own binding agreements, international law, the expressed will of most members of this Council, and the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter."

Ambassador Power continued, "We want to thank members of this Council for taking a strong stance on Russia's intervention in Ukraine and for making clear that Russia stands alone in its failed, illogical, and mendacious attempt to justify actions that cannot be justified. Five days ago, when this Council accurately described the Crimean separatist referendum as invalid, only a single hand rose in opposition. When this Council declared that the referendum cannot form the basis for any alteration of the status of Crimea, only a single hand rose in opposition. Now, the referendum has taken place, but the national and international legal status of Crimea has not changed. A thief can steal property, but that does not confer the right of ownership on the thief."

In closing, Ambassador Power said, "...Let me just emphasize again what Russia has done is wrong as a matter of law, wrong as a matter of history, wrong as a matter of policy, and dangerous. What happened in Crimea cannot be recognized as valid. We must stand together denying recognition and imposing consequences for this illegal act. In doing so, we must also be very clear that what happened in Crimea cannot be repeated in other parts of Ukraine."

Comments

Comments

Siddhartha M.

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Minnesota, USA

March 20, 2014

The stand taken by US Government in this matter is really commendable. US is standing firmly against Russian aggressors and supporting Ukraine in maintaining its sovereignty.
This action of US will definitely help protecting sovereignty, freedom and democracy in today's world.

Norman D.

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Virginia, USA

March 21, 2014

I have not seen any response or reaction from Iran. Have they and do they have any influence on their neighbor? As a former working resident in Tehran years back I know of their close border relations at the Caspian and would they assist Russia bypass the effectiveness of our sanctions?